The Heidi Thorne Show

Happy New Year! How are you going to approach your writing in 2019? I discuss getting your mindset right about writing habits in today's episode.

YouTube video podcast: https://youtu.be/k7iWO4p_1dI

Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:13 The problem with New Year's resolutions

2:15 Writing is a habit

2:24 The Moses Problem with writing

3:49 Developing a reading habit

Just a quick episode to thank you for your support in 2018, along with a preview of what's coming in January. Happy Holidays!

Video podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Fs2TqPs-Ibc

Website: https://heidithorne.com

In this episode, I rant on why you shouldn't just ask for "editing" for your book.

Blog: Types of Editing http://hub.me/akVTv

Podcast video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iWTXiXfFJ7E

Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:19 Why you shouldn't ask for editing "surgery"

2:51 Authors don't understand the types of editing (developmental, line, copy)

5:32 Editing requires multiple rounds

6:21 You don't have to agree with your editor (but usually you should)

8:17 It starts with a critique

You might think you've written the next great novel. And even if you have, traditional publishers and agents are interested in more than just your book. Find out what they want in this episode.

Blog: Self Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing: Which One is Right for You? http://hub.me/ak5Mw

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/O-U89q-hfZI

Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:50 Self publishing or traditional publishing?

0:58 Self Publishing Survey results on authors who consider traditional book deals

1:42 Why authors still consider traditional publishing route

2:58 Why traditional publishing takes so long

4:20 Why your book almost doesn't matter when pursuing a book deal

4:36 What traditional publishers really want

6:08 Why you might end up in a publisher's slush pile

6:37 How agents help authors get published (if you can get an agent)

9:30 Why authors turn to self publishing... and why I only self publish

If you participated in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) this November, good for you. But I honestly don't like programs like this. I explain why in this episode.

Blog: How Many Words Should a Book Be? http://hub.me/al1Sc

2018 Self Publishing Survey Results (podcast): https://heidithorne.podbean.com/e/survey-how-much-do-self-published-authors-make-the-heidi-thorne-show-episode-66/

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/PVlTKBSnTz0

Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:29 What is NaNoWriMo?

1:35 Why I don't like artificial restraints like NaNoWriMo

2:12 The "I love you" test for books

3:24 Don't pad your book with filler!

4:10 Why you can't measure a book's value by word count

5:09 The "words per pound" problem with book writing

5:32 Where word count does matter

5:57 The "War and Peace" problem

7:00 Avoiding "brain vomit"

8:23 The real value of your book

8:50 What to do after NaNoWriMo

The big question on every author's mind: Can you make money self publishing? Well, technically, yes. But I talk about what you need to consider in this episode.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/EqmO5ZKGQ3U

0:18 Self Publishing Survey update

1:25 The question isn't can you make money; it's how much

2:14 Royalties versus revenues

3:24 Selling print books direct to customers

5:14 Selling eBooks direct to customers

7:05 Profit and loss analysis for selling direct

8:00 Cost analysis for selling on KDP or other platforms

10:05 The upside of self publishing

Blog: https://toughnickel.com/self-employment/Can-You-Make-Money-from-Self-Publishing

2018 Thorne Self Publishing Survey Results and Analysis: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MH8T9YG

Hard to believe the Kindle has only been around since 2007. In this episode, we celebrate Kindle's anniversary and I share how it's impacted my life and work.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/u0-meBw2T9g

Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:16 How I got started with Kindle

1:03 Kindle's Anniversary (November 19, 2007)

1:14 Why I didn't immediately jump on board with Kindle eBooks

2:51 The gift that changed my life

4:45 Converting to the Kindle app

5:26 Why I love Amazon for giving us Kindle and KDP

To see all my Kindle eBooks, visit my Heidi Thorne author page on Amazon.com.

Bummed because your self published book isn't in the big retail bookstores? Don't be! I explain why, along with issues of selling through independent bookstores, in this episode.

Click here to read my blog post, Why Isn't My Self Published Book for Sale in Bookstores?

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/oKdjwbcBsaw

Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view that segment on YouTube):

0:29 How bookstores used to be

1:49 Why I don't care if my books are in bookstores

3:00 What expanded distribution means on KDP

4:20 Why bookstores don't really carry that many books

4:56 Why bookstores don't want to work with self published authors

5:32 Consignment sales with local bookstores

9:35 Where most self published books are sold

Some self publishing companies offer "promotion" assistance as part of their service packages for authors. But you need to understand what that means! I explain some of the terminology so you know what you're buying!

Resource: How to write a press release: https://toughnickel.com/industries/How-to-Write-a-Press-Release-for-a-Small-Business

Resource: How to distribute a press release: http://heidithorne.hubpages.com/hub/Where-to-Submit-a-Press-Release-So-It-Gets-Read

2018 Self Publishing Survey Results (YouTube video): https://youtu.be/IDejdrEyVHU

2018 Self Publishing Survey Results (Podcast): https://heidithorne.podbean.com/e/survey-how-much-do-self-published-authors-make-the-heidi-thorne-show-episode-66/

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/K7DFTK0Y9N0

Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:13 Self Publishing Survey update

0:46 Self publishing company "packages"

1:36 Book promotion is not the same as book marketing and advertising

2:46 What self publishing companies mean by "book distribution"

4:33 What self publishing companies mean by "press releases"

7:16 Why the talk shows won't want you as a guest

7:41 What self publishing companies mean by "viral promotion"

9:41 Why you have to do your own book marketing

Getting organic book reviews is tough! But forcing your friends and others to do reviews isn't the answer either. I discuss some ways to professionally approach potential book reviewers in today's episode.

Blog: Asking Friends for Book Reviews

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/MA7kOmHYrlo

Timestamped show notes (click timestamp to view that segment on YouTube):

1:05 Here's why getting organic reviews online is so difficult

1:45 Online reviews can be very polarized

2:58 Problems with friendly reviews at book launch

4:55 How giving away free copies of your book hurts your book sales

5:30 Don't make your friends feel bad if they don't want to review your book

6:30 Don't force copies of your book on potential reviewers

10:55 Why you should buy review copies for your reviewers